She was beginning to worry. She had never worried before but something on the wind told her something wasn’t right. She hadn’t seen her mate or her second for quite some time and it wasn’t like them to give her the chance to slip off unattended. Something had them both otherwise entertained and it made her skin prickle. Memories of her conversation with Triell, warnings of wars to come... And so she sat, and waited at the beginning of the nightshade path that led the way to their home.

She had been sitting there since before the sun came up. Sitting, waiting, eyes searching the horizon. Eventually she managed to bring herself to return to her little store. Grateful for her small escape weeks previous. She had gathered enough to get her by but if her gut was right she would need to send Ava to collect more for her tomorrow. Solomon’s seal for for bruises, cuts and broken bones, willow for any general swelling or aches, hopefully neither would suffer from infection. She would have to move quickly. Back in her stores she also had wormwood, goldenrod, whitebark, and mushroom tops, although not yet sufficently dried. She had also begun to collect cobwebs. She could only hope she had enough.

Her pups moved about restlessly in her stomach and she growled with mild discomfort. It was the first time she had felt them move, it was a good sign, but inconvenient timing. She wasn’t showing yet, but it wouldn’t be long now. The sun was high in the sky and in an attempt to still the critters that had decided to start wrestling with her organs she lowered herself to her stomach. It seemed to sooth the little beasts some and so she continued her vigil, her eyes drawn across the lake towards the heights.

Finally she saw movement on the horizon, though whether real or imagined was yet to be determined. She raised herself back up into a sitting position, eyes trained on the two silhouettes working their way back home. There was an unevenness to their steps and her stomach knotted, once again awakening the terrors in her belly. She barked out in greeting to her pack mates, holding the tension from her greeting. She wanted to race over to them, to check them both over as soon as possible but she wasn’t sure she should run right this second.

They had made it this far.

The dark leader glanced behind him once again, making sure Athena and the healer he had found on the way, Chantille, was still there. The journey across the mountains wasn't easy, but it was becoming less difficult for him. The more time he spent climbing the peaks and valleys, the stronger he felt. Even his skinny frame was starting to gain a little meat on it; he'd always be lanky, but he no longer looked sickly so. He felt a little bad for the new commer, she might not have been used to the terrain but he was a little glad they took it slower, it made it easier for him... but of course he'd never admit that. Satisfied they were keeping up, he looked ahead once more as the final stretch until their home within the lake would fall into view.

His front toe had scabbed over by this point, though it was still sore but his encounter with the healer had been conveniant; she had given him something to numb the area which made balancing, and putting a bit of weight on the paw, much easier and in turn, had made the journey home less tragic.
Paw after paw, he climbed the last ridge until finally, he reached the top and the Lost Lake stretched out, a silver puddle beneath a greying sky before them. Almost home.

"Oh look... a welcoming commity." he said with a smirk to himself and the females who followed as he spotted his silvery female sitting at the mouth of their home. He supposed he should be glad she was here and hadn't gone galavanting again. He really could do without having to go looking for her at the moment. He just wanted food and a good sleep. With a final burst of energy, he began the decent back down the steep ridge; using flat areas and surfaces to make the journey a little less bumpy, until at last his leather pads touched the pebbled floor of the floor. They were on the home stretch.

Instantly the scent of their home, their pack hit his nose and gave him that last push to walk (or hobble) home and as he approached his female "Why aren't you inside the borders? Being on them counts the same as being away from them." and with a raised brow, he then offered a nudge to her cheek; grateful she was in one piece, grateful Athena had only a sore tail and that they were all here safely. He looked then to Chantille and stepped aside so that Naira could see her. "I also managed to find someone who likes to talk and faff around with plants as much as you do. This is Chantille." he offered the introduction and then fell silent; he wasn't going to do the hard work for her here.

Of course, he also made a note not to mention the fight to Naira and hoped that Athena would do the same; whilst the scent of the River wolves was still upon his skin, faded, but there he hoped she would miss it. He didn't feel like telling her that her beloved River wolves attacked him, that her darling Triell had nearly pulled Athena's tail off (yes, exaduration!) or that gullable, soft Ice had thrown himself into a losing battle with Rhysis... no, she certainly didn't need to know the stress of it all.

Chantille padded over the hill now, only one small bit of goldenrod remaining in her
jaws from the travel. Her paws were sore, and would ache something fierce in the
morning. Scaling through these mountains was difficult for her, but not something
new. Within moments, they had reached a female, of whom she assumed was Rhysis'
mate- she was correct.


As soon as Rhysis introduced Chantille, she bowed her head to the lady before her.
"Hello, Naira! It is a pleasure to meet you. Rhysis spoke of you in such a positive
manner- you heal as well?!" Chant now bit her tongue, attempting to stop herself
from blabbing. She had such a horrible habit (or so she thought) of doing so. With an
ear-to-ear smile, she lowered her ears and tail in submission.


As they walked back to the mountainous area, Chantille had walked behind Athena, not
knowing her name nor speaking to her. She figured all would be done once they had
arrived at their destination.

It was a ragged group that approached her across the lake and for a moment she had to check to see if she was seeing double. As the small group approached however, the differences between the paler ladies was evident. The new addition was creamier than the start white of Athena, and a little larger. Her brows drew together momentarily, but she managed to replace her concerned look with one slightly more neutral.

A small smile quirked at the corner of her mouth at his concern for her whereabouts and she returned his nudge, taking in his scent and picking up the scents of Ice and Triell, but she kept her mouth shut. They would have time to speak of it later. ”You know I’ve been positively itching to visit my brother down at Copper Rock Creek...” she teased, knowing such a journey was well out of the question.

At the introduction of the stranger in their midst her rear lifted from the ground and her tail raised a little instinctively. It would seem healing could wait for the moment, although Athena was showing signs of a pounding headache but the ergot was back at the main den, and their new companion had helped to patch up the worst of her mates injuries. Was she here now seeking a home? With her excited introduction a small smile softened her features and she relaxed some. With the disappearance of Jedd and Fallen from the germinal pack, she wasn’t about to go turning away able bodied wolves.

”I suppose you’re looking for a home Chantille?” she questioned with a smile. She wanted to know for sure before she went rubbing up against strange wolves.

Tail lowered, but still wagging, Chant continued to smile. "Yes, I am, Naira."
Her tones were excited, but she was trying her best to control herself. "Besides
knowing some healing skills, I'm also a very good hunter." She was not one to
boast, so she kept her words simple.


The mountains were so different from where she was used to roaming. Chantille
enjoyed open areas, full of flowers or perhaps just grasses. No, she did not know
why she enjoyed it more than the forest, but she took pleasure in seeing the sky
at every moment of the day. Up in the mountains, this opportunity was still with her.
It was also quite the fantastic view- she could view all of the land below, and spot
out water sources if ever need be.


She looked to Rhysis and dipped her creamy head to him, then looking to the leadess,
she dipped to her as well. Although Chantille seemed very polite, she was quite the tough
wolf, therefore easily being underestimated.

Silently, he gauged his females reaction as Chantille approached her, casually, confidently. Something had changed in his gold and silver lady of late; he put it down to hormones, but her temper and moods were all over the place. She used to be always smiling, happy and care free... but these days she seemed to want to bite everyones face off and even he felt a little nervous around her at times. In some ways, he missed the happy soul she used to be; she put humour in his life, aggitated him to the point where he could only laugh. Now when he looked at her, he just felt guilty. It was his fault she was no longer the happy go lucky girl she used to be...

He felt as if he should speak up, say what Chantille had done to help but for the moment he was keeping out of the way. He was grateful for the help, but he wasn't going to speak for her. They needed confident, strong members here who could hold their own and speaking for the cream female wasn't going to do her any favours... especially not with the look he saw flicker across his females face.

Instead, he sauntered over towards Athena and took a walk around her, getting a good look at her injuries. Standing then before her, he simply looked at her. She'd been utterfly fearless, her loyalty unquestionable as she had rushed in to aid him. He handled himself, he always did, but it had been nice to know that someone had got his back... He nudged her cheek then, a sign of affection and thanks; something he had given to no one but his female. He didn't need to say anything, that touch said it all; how much he valued her, how brave and valiant she had been back there. He didn't quite know where this pack would be without her.
After, he turned and sat next to the little wolf, to watch the drama unfold between his glorious female and the new healer in town.

Chantille's soft face suddenly grew stoic- something that rarely ever
happened. A smile typically adorned her creamy face, but she looked
rather dull now. Chocolate eyes slid darkly over to Athena, who was silent.
Eyes inspected the female, drawing in every detail. She was judging her.
With an acidic taste on her tongue, Chantille shook her head now, peering
back to Rhysis and Naira.


With her jaws shut tight, an uncomfortable pressure began to build within
her head. The well-groomed wolf observed as Rhysis showed affection to
Naira and thought nothing of it. She assumed this is how things always were.
Tail slowed now, until it stopped and remained still. Her happiness had faded
within moments of looking at Athena.


Suddenly, a grin appeared on her maw. It was a proud smile, one that took
well to her face. Her positive attitude overrode her negative thoughts like a
massive wave. Whatever Athena thought of her...well, that was just great.
Chantille was never one to judge others, so she took no hard feelings to those
who would look at her with inspecting eyes.


She now attempted to make herself appear smaller than what she was before
the leaders of Poison Path. Her tail tucked between her furry hind limbs, and her
light ears pinned against her head. Chantille respectfully lowered her head, eyes
looking up at Naira "Naira, ma'am, I would most certainly take pleasure in living
within your pack. I can prove my worth."

The girls submission was acceptable and settled the increasingly dominant itch that burned under her skin. She was more than aware of the terrible way her mood had taken from swinging from one extreme to the other and was doing her best to contain the urge to rip the throat out of anyone who looked at her the wrong way but sometimes it was hard. Taking a decided step forward she brushed along the girls side marking her with the scent of the Poisoned wolves and looked closer at her mate, taking note of the goldenrod that dressed his wound. Not too shabby.

She would give him willow when they made it back to the den to take the edge off the pain, whether or not he would deign to take it was another matter. Finally able to relax in the presence of family, a grateful smile to Athena and a nudge to the cheek conveyed all the thanks she needed to. Jedd’s absence did not go unnoticed. ”It would seem we are missing a member...?” The sharp edge her question carried undoubtedly conveyed her opinion more than required an answer. If it was the case, she was sure he would get his comeuppance one way or another. It may have also been misconstrued as a warning to the new recruit, but it most certainly wasn’t meant to be taken that way.

Athena still carried a headache squint and she drew herself back to the task at hand. ”I’ll get you some ergot for that.” She told her pale second with a knowing smile. Picking up the herbs she had gathered the nodded in the direction of home, settling in comfortably at Rhysis’ side.